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I've got a question for touring owners only, so I hope no one minds me asking it here. I've got 2000 323iT 5 speed and get A LOT worse fuel mileage than I did with my 330 vert or my wife's 530. Both of them get 25 city and around 30 highway. I get about 20-21 in town and only jump to about 24 on the highway. I know the 5 speed wagons are geared differently, so I'm wondering if that makes the difference. Can anyone elaborate on their experiences?

Thanks

I know my auto gets 27-29 on highway with the roof rails off. With the rails on it got 25-27 max MAYBE 28 if I drove 65mph. I commute 22miles each way so the 1 -1.5mpg gain was worth it. And I like the no rail look. I was shocked it actually helped...

I've got a question for touring owners only, so I hope no one minds me asking it here. I've got 2000 323iT 5 speed and get A LOT worse fuel mileage than I did with my 330 vert or my wife's 530. Both of them get 25 city and around 30 highway. I get about 20-21 in town and only jump to about 24 on the highway. I know the 5 speed wagons are geared differently, so I'm wondering if that makes the difference. Can anyone elaborate on their experiences?

Thanks

That sounds about right. I've had 323i, 325i, 330i previously. The 330i makes getting to speed more efficient since it has more HP and efficiency when accelerating. It sounds weird considering the 330 has more hp, you'd expect it to have worse mileage but it is more efficient overall for normal driving.

You are about avg for your city driving but slightly low for highway. Do you have heavy wheels? Is all your maintenance up to date? IIRC, the auto's have a higher rear end so having a manual, you should be getting better gas mileage than the autos.

You are about avg for your city driving but slightly low for highway. Do you have heavy wheels? Is all your maintenance up to date? IIRC, the auto's have a higher rear end so having a manual, you should be getting better gas mileage than the autos.

No on the wheels, I have OEM style 44's (shown in my sig), but I am about to do the CCV kit update. Is it possible my clogged up CCV system could cause MPG issues? I have no vacuum leaks, but I know my CCV system is totaled, I can see it and smell the burnt oil. BTW, I'm also doing the valve cover gasket and OFHG to rule out any of the other common oil leaks.

I do have a Yakima/Thule roof rack with a wind deflector, but my mileage was the same before I added that on.

No on the wheels, I have OEM style 44's (shown in my sig), but I am about to do the CCV kit update. Is it possible my clogged up CCV system could cause MPG issues? I have no vacuum leaks, but I know my CCV system is totaled, I can see it and smell the burnt oil. BTW, I'm also doing the valve cover gasket and OFHG to rule out any of the other common oil leaks.

I do have a Yakima/Thule roof rack with a wind deflector, but my mileage was the same before I added that on.

In my experience, I suffered 2-3mpg with a roof rack, however, it didn't have the wind deflector on there so not sure how much of a difference that makes. I normally carry my custom modifed aluminum roof racks in the trunk if I ever need them but I tend to not leave them on.

CCV would have a negligible effect on your mileage IMO unless you had some badly ruptured hoses in the first place.

Really, you are about avg in city ,and highway mileage can simply be due to your roof rack.

330berg, looks like you're gonna win a spot in the calendar!!!!!! You deserve it with that sweet, clean touring and great shot. I'm pretty close to making the cut, sure hope i do. 2 months of tourings would be great!

I'm lookin' for a pic of a white touring with black wheels. Can anyone hook me up? I've found a couple on the first thread that have polished lips, but that throws the look off too much for me to study it.
I'm about to paint my beat up style 44's black, they are just too curb rashed to clean up for me, and I think white with black wheels will look slick. I simply cannot find any other wheels I want to put on this car at this point. I think 44's look great on a touring and I don't really want aftermarket wheels. Anyway, I'm quite sure some here will disagree, but post up if you see or have a pic.

I just sprayed my 45's black for my winter tires. I haven't put them on the wagon yet. I can get you some pictures with them on the car, but it won't be until later next week. I'm a automotive painter at a Euro-Auto restoration shop. I sanded them with 800, then put a coat of 2k sealer, then base and cleared. If you want it to really hold up, I would use an epoxy instead of the 2k sealer. Both ways will work, but the epoxy is a better choice. I just used what I had laying around.

I just sprayed my 45's black for my winter tires. I haven't put them on the wagon yet. I can get you some pictures with them on the car, but it won't be until later next week. I'm a automotive painter at a Euro-Auto restoration shop. I sanded them with 800, then put a coat of 2k sealer, then base and cleared. If you want it to really hold up, I would use an epoxy instead of the 2k sealer. Both ways will work, but the epoxy is a better choice. I just used what I had laying around.

Thanks! I'd love to see the pics. I won't have mine done til next week due to the holiday. Started cleaning yesterday and sanding more today though. I found some close pics on Google Images.